THIEVES made off with a van stashed full of computer equipment after a raid on a catering supplier.

The robbery at a storage warehouse at the Network 65 Business Park, Hapton, comes just days after a raid at the nearby Altham Industrial Estate

, when another lorry load of computers were stolen.

Detectives were today investigating whether there is a link between the two, although they say the style of the thefts were different.

Thieves struck at Birchall GC Ltd Catering Wholesalers, Bentley Wood Way, somet ime between 11am on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.

A crowbar was used to force open a fire door and phone lines were cut.

Computer equipment was loaded into a white company van, registration V727 EYD, which was stolen.

The haul is believed to be worth thousands of pounds.

The Altham raid took place on Thursday when a huge haul of computers was stolen from a delivery wagon.

Police believe raiders assaulted the lorry driver and forced him out of his cab. He was found in Wigan, dazed and confused, while the wagon was later found burnt out in Salford with its contents missing.